Crape Myrtle plant named ‘Coral Filli’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of dwarf winter hardy Lagerstroemia plant named ‘Coral Filli’ is the result of a unique hybridization. This new and distinct cultivar is characterized primarily as to novelty by its extreme cold hardiness to Zone 4, its numerous sturdy bright coral-pink blooms, its compact spreading performance with heavy branching, its vigorous and uniform growth habit, and its floriferous nature form midsummer until frost.

Genus/species: Lagerstroemia indica.

Varietal denomination: ‘Coral Filli’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The new plant of this invention is the result of a unique hybridization,with the breeding achievement being evidenced in the outstandingcombination of characteristics exhibited by this new and distinct CrapeMyrtle (‘Coral Filli’ Lagerstroemia indica) plant, which include:

(a) The plant being very refined and floriferous with flowers that areoutstanding for their wide bright coral-pink blooms that compliment thelandscape;

(b) The plant being dwarf, but vigorous, with compact and uniformlyspiraling spreading action which gives it unique landscape utility;

(c) The plant being very floriferous with flowers that stay open atleast 2 full days;

(d) The plant being so hardy that it can consistently withstand wintertemperatures of at least −30 degrees Fahrenheit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Coral Filli’ was the result of a 40-year breeding program. Its ancestryincludes various seedlings of Lagerstroemia indica. More specifically,the plant resulted as a selected hardier seedling from the Fleming CrapeMyrtle “Filligree” series. ‘Coral Filli’ resulted from a cross betweentwo unnamed/unpatented Fleming L. indica plants.

This new plant first bloomed in the summer of 1978 and was selected byDavid Fleming and Gretchen Zwetzig on David Fleming's property inLincoln, Nebr. The plant was observed here under typical conditions forNebraska, at approximately 3 years of age. Asexual propagation of theplant by cuttings and root division in Lincoln, Nebr., has shown thatthe unique and distinguishing features of the plant are faithfullytransmitted from generation to generation and appear to be fixed. ‘CoralFilli’ reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Since its origin, the plant has bloomed from midsummer until frost,while exhibiting the above-mentioned distinctive characteristics. Thishardy Crape Myrtle plant contributes to the market with its sheerbeauty, its compact Growth habit, its great resistance to disease andinsects, its stability through extremes in rain and drought, and itsExtreme hardiness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The flower, bud, foliage, and growth habit of the plant are shown in theattached illustrations.

More specifically, Sheet 1 depicts a typical plant of ‘Coral Filli’.

Sheet 2 shows a close-up of the blooms and foliage. The colors are astrue as is reasonably possible to attain in photographic illustrationsof this type. The colors illustrated may be slightly off due to lightreflectance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

What follows is a detailed description of the new cultivar. The specificcolor designations set forth by PLATE and number designations are inaccordance with the Dictionary of Color (Mearz and Paul), while generalcolor recitations are consistent with ordinary American colorterminology.

‘Coral Filli’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. It is to be understood that the phenotype may varysignificantly with variations in the environment such as temperature,light intensity, and day length, without, however any difference ingenotype of the plant. The following botanical characteristics andobservations are taken from a 3 year old plant when grown under normaloutdoor conditions in Lincoln, Nebr.

The PLANT

The new Crape Myrtle plant differs from the seed parent and pollenparent in the following ways:

TABLE 1 Unnamed Unnamed Fleming Fleming ‘Coral Filli’ L. indica L.indica Width: 1 ½ ft. 3 ft. 3 ½ ft. Height: 1 ½ ft. 3 ft. 3 ½ ft. Form:flat globe upright globe Hardiness: −30 degrees −25 degrees −25 degreesFahrenheit Fahrenheit Fahrenheit Branching: Compact, thick Medium lengthMedium length No. of flowers per 40 20 35 day per season:

Tree performance.—From spreading to flat spreading.

Tree form.—Flat globe.

Tree height.—Dwarf, about 1½ feet.

Tree width.—1½ ft.

Type of trunk.—Single trunk with approximately 20 to 50 spreadingbranches.

Trunk color.—Brown. 8-C, page 37, PLATE 7.

Branches:

Color.—Brown. 2-C, page 37, PLATE 7.

Thickness: 3 cm.

Average length.— 6-10 inches.

Branching habit.—Heavy; 20 to 50 branches in average on main trunk.

Internode length.—About ½ inch, 1½ cm.

Foliage:

Leaves (lamina).—Compact, elliptical with rounded apex and base.

Margin.—Entire.

Average leaf length.—About 1½ inches, 3¼ cm.

Average leaf width.—About ¾ inch, 2 cm.

Color immature.—Slightly darker than 5-L, page 69, PLATE 23.

Upper surface of mature leaf.—Same as immature leaf color.

Underside of mature leaf.—5-B, page 67, PLATE 22.

Color change.—Purplish.

Luster.—Dull sheen.

Petiole.—Green. 5-B, page 67, PLATE 22.

Length.—1 cm.

Flower:

Pedicel length.—0.5 cm.

Pedicel color.—6-G, page 65, PLATE 21.

Bud shape.—Round to trapezoidal.

Bud length.—½ inch.

Bud width.—½ inch.

Bud color.—5-H, page 35, PLATE 6.

Cluster.—Conic, broad.

Inflorescence.—11 flowers on average per one cluster.

Type.—Cluster.

Bloom diameter.—1¾ inches, 4½ cm.

Number of flowers.—50 on average per inflorescence.

Shape or form.—Single, six petals.

Fragrance.—Slight.

Petals:

Color (for both surfaces).—Between 1-E, pg. 107, PLATE 42 and 2-J, pg.107, PLATE 42.

Shape.—Orbiculate with a strong wave.

Petal length.—1 inch.

Petal apex.—Rounded.

Petal width.—¾ inch, 1½ cm.

Petal margin.—Smooth or entire.

Persistence of individual bloom.—2 days.

Base.—Connate.

Reproductive organs:

Style.—Pale pink.

Pistil.—One.

Filaments.—Pale pink.

Anthers.—Yellow.

Stamens.—30 to 35 arranged around the pistil.

Pollen.—Scarce.

Pollen color.—1-L, page 43, PLATE 10.

Fruit:

Shape.—Rotund; apex ½ cm in width.

Color.—Green when immature, matures to purple.

Seeds:

Color.—Grayish-brown.

Size.—¼ cm.

Growth:

Habit.—Dwarf, about 1½ feet.

Blooming period.—July until October.

Hardiness: Hardy to at least −30 degrees Fahrenheit, or Zone 4.

General health: Plant is very disease resistant; very pest resistant;sturdy through excessive drought or water.

Time it takes to produce “finished” plant: 2 years for apx. 5 gallonplant.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

This plant, as a hybridized hardy Lagerstroemia, is valuable to thelandscape market for its improvements in different colored, outstandingflowers, refined foliage, dwarf, compact and uniform breaking action,all-around vigor, and adaption to extreme environments, including theability to consistently survive winter temperatures of at least −30degrees Fahrenheit.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lagerstroemia plant, asherein shown and described, characterized by its beautiful coral-pinkflowers and refined foliage, its dwarf and compact spreading action, itsvigor, and its extreme hardiness.